Science & Technology Studies (STS) Study Group

Aims and Objectives

To provide:

• A forum that enables the critical development of STS research across a diverse range of fields;
• A professional network in which to bring together academics, researchers, postgraduate and doctoral students working on social studies of science and technology;
• A context in which interdisciplinary (inter)national networking can take place in order to encourage (inter)national research collaborations;
• An environment that seeks to safeguard independent STS scholarship in the face of cuts to the social sciences and humanities.

In particular the study group will focus on some of the key questions facing the field, including the increasing dependency on science funding, the instrumentalisation of STS research in relationship to the  impact agenda,and the challenge of genuine multidisciplinary collaboration, as well as more theoretical concerns, such as those around the materiality turn and characterising the bioeconomy. The group also aims to have strong links with other established international network in the field of science and technology studies, including the European Association for the Study of Science and Technology (EASST) which holds a major international conference every two years.

Activities

The Study Group will take a developmental approach to building support and aims to undertake the following activities over the next two years:

• Initial meeting with representatives from all leading STS groups in the UK in Autumn 2012 to establish a common agenda.
• Annual postgraduate and ECR meeting.
• Biannual conference – alternate with EASST.
• Symposia/workshops on areas of methodological, theoretical and subject specific interest to the membership.
• Involvement in events and activities linked to training or scholarly activity in STS, such as DTC activities, international conferences and workshops.

Forthcoming Events

Please watch this space for details.

Annual Report

Take a look at the Group's Annual Report.

Convenors

Professor Anne Kerr

University of Leeds

Send an email.

Professor Paul Martin

University of Sheffield

Send an email.

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